Ernest Howard "E.H." Shepard (1879-1976) was a popular cartoonist, perhaps most famous for his illustrations of Winnie the Pooh in the famous books by A.A. Milne. Shepard worked as a cartoonist for Punch magazine from 1921 until 1953, and his work is often thought of as somewhat gentle and uplifting.
c. October 1943, An original Pencil Cartoon, measuring 8 x 10.75 Inches and Signed, "E.H. Shepard" in pencil at the lower right titled, "Lord Warden of the Empire", Choice Very Fine. This well executed artwork drawing depicts a cigar-smoking, fully uniformed Winston Churchill, wearing a helmet marked with a "W" standing watch over the White Cliffs of Dover with one foot resting upon a battered antique cannon, as formations of RAF Aircraft pass overhead against a sky streaked with vapor trails and Battle of Britian aircraft fire. This historic cartoon was originally published in Punch on October 1, 1943, and its title plays directly on Churchill's real honorary appointment as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, one of the oldest ceremonial military honors in England, dating to the 12th century and previously held by figures including the future Edward I, Henry V, William Pitt, and the Duke of Wellington. King George VI conferred the honor upon Churchill in September 1941, in recognition of his leadership during the darkest early years of the Second World War, though Churchill was not formally installed in the post until 1946. Shepard's cartoon recasts that ancient title in contemporary terms, presenting Churchill not in ceremonial dress but as a vigilant, cigar-clenching wartime guardian of Britain's coastline, a striking and instantly legible piece of visual propaganda from one of Britain's most closely watched invasion fronts. This rare historic cartoon presents in very nice clean condition with light scattered handling marks to the sheet consistent with age and its working use as original art for publication.